Thin Lizzy Vinyl Records – Jailbreak, Live and Dangerous & Essential Albums on Vinyl

Thin Lizzy are one of the greatest rock bands Ireland has produced, and Phil Lynott is one of rock's most genuinely beloved frontmen. Formed in Dublin in 1969 and built around Lynott's vocals, bass and songwriting, the band moved through various line-ups before settling on the classic 1974-78 unit with Brian Downey on drums and the twin lead guitars of Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham — the pairing that defined the Thin Lizzy sound.

Jailbreak (1976) is the iconic record; The Boys Are Back in Town became one of the defining rock anthems of its decade. Live and Dangerous (1978) remains one of the greatest live albums ever released. Lynott's Dublin-romantic, working-class-poetic songwriting set the band apart from any of their hard-rock contemporaries. He died in January 1986 at just 36, from complications of substance abuse. Thin Lizzy on vinyl is a particular pleasure — the twin guitar harmonies, Lynott's bass-and-vocal interplay, Downey's drumming all benefit from analogue warmth. The Vertigo originals and the recent 180g Universal reissues are all excellent.

Best Thin Lizzy Albums on Vinyl

Jailbreak (1976)
Their masterpiece. The Boys Are Back in Town, Jailbreak, Cowboy Song, Emerald, Running Back — a perfectly sequenced hard-rock album, and one of the most influential records of its decade. The 180g reissue is essential.

Live and Dangerous (1978)
One of the greatest live albums of all time. Jailbreak, Emerald, Rosalie / Cowgirl's Song, The Cowboy Song, Are You Ready — capturing the band at absolute peak across two LPs. Some studio overdubs were rumoured, but the performance is electric.

Bad Reputation (1977)
The album that followed Johnny the Fox. Dancing in the Moonlight, Killer Without a Cause, Southbound, That Woman's Gonna Break Your Heart — denser and moodier than Jailbreak, with some of Lynott's finest writing.

Black Rose: A Rock Legend (1979)
The record with the six-minute title suite. Do Anything You Want To, Waiting for an Alibi, Sarah — Gary Moore joining on guitar, adding a new dimension. One of their most ambitious records.

Johnny the Fox (1976)
The follow-up to Jailbreak. Don't Believe a Word, Johnny, Massacre, Borderline — recorded quickly and under pressure, but full of extraordinary songwriting. Often underrated in the catalogue.

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